March 29, 2010

We are starting our second, full week in Belize.  Friday was a half-day for the elementary teachers so our students got a break.  After a morning down pour that ruined the end-of-the-term parent/teacher conferences and display of work, the students from Isla Bonita relaxed while the students from Ambergris Caye had a long lunch on the way back to the hotel.  Everyone met for our twice-weekly seminars at 4:30 p.m. to discuss upcoming service projects and video documentaries.

Three of the elementary students are going to develop a video documentary about Derrick, a 16-year-old, guitar/bass phenomenon.  Derrick is self-taught and reminds everyone of Carlos Santana.  He is amazing and has been playing with a local band since he was 12 years old.  The drummer of the band, formerly from the group Berlin, is spearheading a fundraising effort to send Derrick to Berkley School of Music in Boston this summer for a summer camp program. 

Saturday was amazing.  We biked to a yoga retreat north of town, Actbol (??spelling), where we ate and snorkeled.  We saw a lion fish and jumped out of the wanter when a barracuda swam by.  The setting was beautiful.  That night the town observed Earth Hour with a parade through downtown. 

Sunday we went to Krazy Kanucks Beach Bar and spent the afternoon listening to Derrick and the band play.  We got to meet Derrick's brother and the other members of the high school band.  They played during a break .  The girls featuring Derrick in their video got to talk to him about the project and they got a lot of tape.  I think he is excited about the project although he is painfully shy and doesn't say much.

This week and next week will be spring break for the schools.  Ambergris Caye has two work days this week but the other two schools are off.  We will head into Belize City next Monday.  Students will be working on service projects this week.  Students worked at the public library today helping with Easter activities.  They will be there from 10-12 and 2:30-4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday to work with the children.